ImmLight of All Circumstances

by Lou Janssen Dangzalan & Will Tao

ImmLight of All Circumstances (ImmLight) is a podcast and digital media platform aimed at humanizing Canadian immigration and refugee law through storytelling and the sharing of lived experiences. Our aim is to create a space for immigration and refugee law discussion that is accessible and relatable to migrants and to the everyday person. Join us as we shine light on news and policy updates and bring to light the untold storie ...   ...  Read more
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Podcast episodes

  • Season 1

  • Trying to Catch the Chinook with Zeynab Ziaie

    Trying to Catch the Chinook with Zeynab Ziaie

    S01 E15
    01:01:56

    This Immlight episode features Zeynab Ziaie, a Toronto-based immigration lawyer who is deep in the trenches of temporary resident applications. She focuses on study permit refusals. In this episode, Will, Lou, and Zeynab talk about Chinook, a system that is slowly being unveiled to the public through various affidavits that Canada's Department of Justice has been introducing to various judicial review applications that deal with temporary resident applications. For the longest time, we have had our thoughts and ideas on how Canada's immigration department had dealt with temporary resident applications. Now as the picture becomes clearer, Zeynab and the hosts try to unpack the implications of such a system, rudimentary as it is. Does it respect the fundamental principles of administrative law in Canada? Does it promote transparency and the intelligibility of decision-making? Find out more in this episode.

  • From China to the Maritimes - Debunking Chinese Immigration/Immigrant Myths with Lu Xu

    From China to the Maritimes - Debunking Chinese Immigration/Immigrant Myths with Lu Xu

    S01 E14
    42:57

    In this episode, Will and Lou speak to Lu Xu in order to break the traditional myths of Chinese immigration and immigration stereotypes surrounding the Chinese-Canadian community.

  • Special Afghanistan Episode

    Special Afghanistan Episode

    S01 E13
    44:22

    In this episode, Will and Lou speak to two individuals who have particular vantage points in the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. They speak to Waheeda Ekhlas Smith, the head of a Group of Five Sponsorship (G5) Sponsorship group and talk about the pain points encountered in the process that are only exacerbated by the current tragedy. Next, they speak to Hadia Samim, an astute advocate who works in human rights and development. Some resources regarding Afghanistan: A Modern History Of Afghanistan And The Taliban by Scott Tong, 17 August 2021, Available at: https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2021/08/17/afghanistan-taliban-history DW News: Explained: Who are the Taliban?, 16 August 2021, Available at: https://www.dw.com/en/explained-who-are-the-taliban/a-58880650

  • Fireside Chat with International Student Advisors (Part 2)

    Fireside Chat with International Student Advisors (Part 2)

    S01 E12
    34:18

    This is part two of a series. In this episode, Will and Lou speak to two amazing international student advisors, Mayoori Malankov (York University) and Ravneet Panech (University of Calgary). Mayoori is an immigration lawyer and Ravneet is licensed immigration consultant. As you will hear, both of them are immersed in the issues facing international students in Canada. Our hosts speak to Ravneet and Mayoori about the current challenges faced by international students in their Canadian journey.

  • Fireside Chat with International Student Advisors (Part 1)

    Fireside Chat with International Student Advisors (Part 1)

    S01 E12
    55:15

    This is part one of a two-part series. In this episode, Will and Lou speak to two amazing international student advisors, Mayoori Malankov (York University) and Ravneet Panech (University of Calgary). Mayoori is an immigration lawyer and Ravneet is licensed immigration consultant. As you will hear, both of them are immersed in the issues facing international students in Canada. Our hosts speak to Ravneet and Mayoori about the current challenges faced by international students in their Canadian journey.